The EAR-868L line stage is essentially the
same as the 912, void a few options and not least without the phono
stage. The 868 phono stage cannot be added later according to the EAR
sales people at Munich 2018, so if a phono stage is needed, consider
this before buying. I've never compared the 868PL and 912 phono stages and can't tell how good the 868PL is.
What I needed for my workshop line stage was double balanced outputs,
remote control and not least - superior sound. I found a mint condition
2nd hand version and yes, the 868L's got what I was looking for!
It really doesn't sound that much different from my WOT line stage, but
the 912/868 line stage has a particular engaging sound. Dynamic,
spacious, transparent, etc. I guess it has just a little bit more bass
punch - or just simply level. Can't tell. As for my 912, it comes with
ECC88 tubes, not PCC88. Whatever, they sound great. And by the way, the
former plastic remote has been replaced by a nicer alu
version.
The 868 needs a power amp with a decent gain, like 24-26 dB. I tried the
868 with a First Watt J2 having 19 dB gain. Not a good match. The 868L
specifications says 0.2V in for 1V out = 14 dB. A J2 requires a ~20 dB
line stage.

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Photographing chrome and black is a problem!

Double XLR outputs and a single pair of XLR
inputs. Phono sockets are for en extern phono stage.